With around 4,000 inhabitants and 87 km², the town of Tanna is one of the largest municipalities in the Saale-Orla district in terms of area. It was founded in the 12th - 13th century as a German settlement, at that time still under the name "Tan". The first records date back to 1232 and are therefore the first documented mention of the village. Unfortunately, there are hardly any stone witnesses to the subsequent development, as the village fell victim to many fires over the years. St. Andrew's Church, perched on a small hill, burned down in 1640 and was subsequently rebuilt. The main entrance with its cross in a stone surround and the cross vault at the back of the church still remain from the old church. After the town was granted town and market rights in 1494, numerous cattle markets were held here, which were of supra-regional importance at the time. However, the main industry that developed in Tanna in the 19th century was embroidery. The numerous red-brick houses throughout the town, all of which once housed embroidery workshops, still bear witness to this.